OTTs dedicated to otherwise abled viewers’ accessibility: Trade physique

The assertion from IDMIF, beneath the Digital Media Content material Regulatory Council (DMCRC), a self-regulatory physique for OTT platforms, got here in response to the knowledge and broadcasting ministry’s name for inputs concerning the formulation of accessibility requirements for otherwise abled viewers. 

IDMIF, which incorporates providers similar to Disney+ Hotstar, Zee5, Voot and SonyLIV, amongst others, mentioned its members have been taking a number of steps to advertise accessibility. These embody subtitling for a majority of content material, offering a textual illustration of dialogue and growing providing of closed captioning (CC), which incorporates descriptions of different sounds along with dialogue. Sure members additionally present audio descriptors (AD), which permit viewers to listen to an outline of what’s on display screen along with the dialogue in a scene.

Some platforms have enabled a textual content management function which permits textual content on cellular functions to be resized as much as 200% with out affecting performance. A number of are working to supply display screen reader help, which permits customers to listen to the textual content displayed on display screen for primary platform navigation.

To make certain, some member platforms additionally highlighted challenges to implementing accessibility measures for reside content material (as a consequence of technological restrictions) and archival and licensed content material (as a consequence of points associated to rights). The IDMIF members underscored their help for MIB’s goal in making providers accessible and famous that OCCPs will proceed to supply accessibility in keeping with the Code of Ethics beneath the IT Guidelines.

“Since OCCPs are nonetheless rising and exploring as an trade, it could be advisable that the Accessibility Requirements to be proposed for OCCPs present an affordable timeline for the trade as an entire to manage and put together for satisfactory compliances. Although related know-how could also be obtainable, the sensible implementation of the identical would require help and affordable time from the MIB. Accordingly, contemplating the preparedness of the trade and the potential lack of sufficient service suppliers who can render providers for accessibility, the MIB is requested to think about issuing the Accessibility Requirements within the type of pointers enabling accessibility options in content material over a interval via phased graded targets in session with the OCCPs,” members have mentioned in a letter to the ministry.

IDMIF is a subsidiary of the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Basis (IBDF), representing main on-line content material curation platforms and dealing on coverage advocacy and content material regulation via the DMCRC.

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Up to date: 30 Oct 2023, 12:20 PM IST